In what other industry does a business say "thank you for your loyalty" by overcharging you? (Actually, the insurance business springs to mind.) It's a truism that new cable customers get the best deals, while loyal customers are rewarded with ever-escalating bills.

The sweetheart deal that lured you in? After your two-year commitment is over, all bets are off and your provider has moved on to woo other prospects.

You want an inexpensive, reliable Internet connection. That’s true whether you’re a cord cutter, or still paying through the nose for a cable subscription. But how do you go about finding the best price for an Internet-only subscription? Every time you call a local cable provider for Internet service, they want to either sell you a bundle of services that you don’t want, or overcharge you for an Internet-only subscription.